A poll of likely voters this weekend found freshman Rep. Kathy Hochul and her Republican challenger, Chris Collins, the former Erie County Execuitive, in a statistical dead heat, 45-47 percent, with 7 percent in the NY-27 district undecided.

A clear majority of voters in the district told pollsters they wanted President Barack Obama's health care legislation repealed (56-40 percent), which is driving much of the conversation on the campaign trail. (The Buffalo News has a front page story this morning all about Medicare and the role of "Mediscare" in the campaign.)

Fewer voters, though still a majority, want the Bush tax cuts for high income earners repealed: 50-47 percent.

The poll shows Hochul with a stronger base of support among Democrats than Collins has among Republicans: 80 percent compared to 74 percent. But Collins is dominating Hochul is among independent voters, leading in that category 47 - 41 percent.

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Eric Koch, a Democratic operative who worked for Rep. Anthony Weiner, State Senator Jeff Klein and City Councilman Eric Gioia, is back from a stint out of town and working with Hiltzik Strategies.

Quote

"Bill [Thompson] will be at every debate, and he will spend every dollar he has on television ads to show New Yorkers that he’s black."—unnamed source in the Post

Events

8:15 a.m. Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks at the AFL-CIO executive council breakfast, which is closed to the press, at the Sheraton Hotel, 811 7th Ave. in Manhattan.

9:30 a.m. Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks at the Dept. of Youth and Community Development's annual convention at the Hilton New York, 1335 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd Floor Grand Ballroom, in Manhattan.

10 a.m. Bloomberg receives the Chancellor's Medal at the CUNY Convocation, at the New York Public Library, Bartos Forum, 455 Fifth Ave. in Manhattan.

"Grimm’s spokeswoman said Sunday night that the congressman was not naked when he jumped in [the Sea of Galilee] and has not been interviewed by the F.B.I.," which is investigating the trip he and other House Republicans took. [Bill Hutchinson

Gun control is flaring up as a key issue between Democratic state senator Joe Adabbo and his Republican challenger, City Councilman Eric Ulrich. [Ken Lovett]

2013

Formercity comptroller Bill Thompson: "I’m not concerned with what people say or write about me now." [Annie Karni]

The head of Transportation Alternatives basically accused Public Advocate Bill de Blasio of tailoring policy to the wishes of rich donors. [David Seifman]

De Blasio's call for changes to the Land Use Review Process and bureaucratic hurdles that face small businesses is welcomed by one conservative columnist. [Michael Goodwin]

"It's going to be hard for a lame duck speaker to keep the body together," said the City Council's Republican leader, Jimmy Oddo. [Tom Wrobleski]

Cory Booker: "I would consider running for governor, absolutely. But I don’t know if I would do that over staying where I am." [Page Six]

City Hall

Bloomberg would veto a Council bill requiring affordable housing contractors to disclose what City Hall considers unnecessary information on workers wages. [Charles Bagli]

City Comptroller John Liu will investigate how the Tavern on the Green bid was won by Jim Caioia, who did not disclose he is the brother-in-law of Bloomberg's former top aide, Kevin Sheekey. [Michael Gartland]

"Off the record, I am speechless," said one rival who learned of Caioia's family connection. [David Seifman]

In defending StudentsFirstNY, one editorial board notes that the organization has 9 of 14 board members enrolled in the Democratic Party, and that their critics are really saying, "schools shouldn’t be subject to the kind of accountability common in the private sector." [New York Post]

The Taxi and Limousine Commission fines brought in $2.8 million, compared to $1.07 million last year. [Sally Goldenberg]